Saturday, July 26, 2014

Former Kyrgyz leaders convicted in absentia by military court

We learn from this article that the former president of Kyrgyzstan, his brother, and a former prime minister have been convicted in absentia by a military court (rough Google translation):

A Kyrgyz military court today sentenced in absentia former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, his brother Janysh Bakiyev and former Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov to life imprisonment.

Reading the verdict, presiding judge Damir Onolbekov said the court found the three guilty of various charges including mass murder of protesters on April 7, 2010.

The court decided to sentence Janysh Bakiyev and his brother, who was formerly head of the State Security Service, to life imprisonment and to confiscate their property and deprive them of the right to hold certain offices or engage in certain activities for three years.

Usenov was also sentenced to life in prison and deprived of the right to hold certain offices or engage in certain activities for three years. The court also ordered the confiscation of his car and apartment and a sum of money.

Kyrgyzstan authorities issued international arrest warrants for the three defendants. It is believed that the former president and his brother are in Belarus, but attempts to secure their extradition failed. The whereabouts of the former prime minister are still unknown.

Editor's query: why a military trial? Perhaps some reader can also explain what juridicial purpose is served by a trial in absentia.